A ‘must’ oil to have during your cold and flu season is Cajeput Essential Oil. It has a fresh, uplifting, and rejuvenating smell that eases out respiratory distress. It is also referred to as Melaleuca leucadendron(1) and is commonly found in Australia, and at the islands situated between Australia and Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The leaves and twigs of this plant are distilled for the formation of its oil. The mixture is allowed to ferment before being distilled. The process of steam distillation of the oil helps to restore and retain the nutrients. This pale yellow oil has a camphor scent to it and blends very well with other essentials oils like tea tree oil, clove oil, and eucalyptus oil.
Nutritional Facts
The chemical composition of cajeput oil is mentioned below
- 1,8 – cineole – 14 – 69 %
- α – pinene – 8 %
- β – pinene – 1 %
- Limonene – 10 %
- Linalool – 3 – 4 %
- Geraniol – Some traces
The nutrients found in cajeput oil are similar to the nutrients found in clove oil and tea tree oil. Cineole, commonly known as eucalyptol, is the most prominent nutrient in cajeput oil. It has a numbing result and works as an analgesic. The other compounds present in this oil have anti-inflammatory properties(2).
The Medicinal Benefits of Cajeput Oil
- Solves Your Respiratory Problems– Respiratory problems include cold, cough, flu, and congestion. You can opt to use this oil to relieve your symptoms of congestion and discomfort caused by a cold. It provides relief by loosening the mucus.
- Reduces Fever– If you are running a temperature, you can use cajeput oil to reduce fever.
- Works as an Analgesic– One of the advantages to cajeput essential oil uses is its ability to reduce pain. It can be used to treat pain caused by arthritis, gout, injury, sciatica, etc. As it has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps in reducing swelling in the body and providing long-lasting relief from pain.
- Antiseptic– You can also use this oil as an antiseptic to wash, clean wounds and to prevent infections in existing wounds.
- Treats Sinusitis– This oil works like a miracle in treating sinusitis and congestion in the sinuses. Use it in steam to get rid of the congestion in the sinus.
- Aromatherapy– You can add this to a diffuser for aromatherapy. It helps in treating cold, and cough also helps to reduce stress.
Also, this essential is effective in healing mosquito and bug bites. This oil also works as a mosquito repellant due to its smell that similar to camphor. It is also used to treat scabies mites. Applying topically works as an herbal and natural treatment for scabies.
Methods To Utilize Cajeput Oil Benefits
1. Recipe for Cold
You need
Vaporizer and Cajeput oil.
Method
Use the vaporizer and add a few drops of this herbal oil. Let the aroma spread in the environment. This aroma unblocks the stuffy nose and calms down the nasal passage.
2. Recipe for Fever
You need
A bucket of cold water and 5 tbsp of cajeput oil.
Method
Add the oil to a bucket of water. Mix well. Soak washcloths in it for cold compress to reduce fever. This oil has a cooling effect and helps in lowering the temperature of your body.
[Read: Essential Oils for Fever]
3. Recipe for Sinusitis
You need
steam inhaler machine and 4 tbsp of cajeput oil.
Method
In a steam inhaler machine, add water, and once it starts to boil, add the essential oil to it. Inhale this steam and do this twice daily until the symptoms of sinusitis begin to disappear.
4. Recipe for Toothache
You need
Cotton ball and Cajeput essential oil.
Method
Take a cotton ball and few drops of the essential oil to it. Place it on the tooth that is paining and let it rest. It instantly helps to reduce the pain and inflammation and disinfects your mouth.
[Read: Essential Oils For Toothache]
5. Recipe for Muscle Cramps
You need
Warm water for a bath, 5 tbsp of cajeput oil, and 1 cup of Epsom salt.
Method
Fill your bathtub with warm water and add the essential oil and salt to it. Sit in this water for half an hour and let the muscles relax. In one single application, it can reduce the pain and ease the tension of the muscles.
Precautions To Be UnderTaken
- Cajeput oil can have reverse effects if used excessively. You must always use this oil by diluting with a carrier oil or water.
- This oil must never be used by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers without supervision from the doctor.
- This oil may work for Eczema but might backfire if used for other skin diseases like psoriasis, rashes, etc.
- If used as a carminative, it must be done under the guidance of a trained herbalist.
The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of cajeput oil is 37,000. ORAC is how the power of antioxidants of a substance is measured. This is why this oil is a reliable source of antioxidants. Few drops of it can help to damage the oxygen-free radicals. Always ensure that you buy it from a reliable source that offers the original version of this oil. Store this essential oil away from sunlight in a cold environment.
FAQs
1. How Can Cajeput Oil Work as a Mosquito Repellant?
To use this oil as a mosquito repellant, add 2 tbsp of this essential oil to ½ cup of water and mix well. Store it in a spray bottle and use it to keep mosquitoes away.
2. Can Cajeput Essential Oil Be Used for Babies?
No. It is safer to not use for babies as the side effects can cause more damage than do good.
